Former Tobacco Farmers Uncork Grape Harvest

Source from:  Monday, May 07, 2007 By Kim Genardo LOUISBURG, N.C. 05/11/2007

It's a multi-million dollar business that keeps on growing in North Carolina. Our state ranks 10th in the country for grape production. In fact, vineyards are becoming a new crop for old tobacco growers. Since the year 2000, grape acreage has more than doubled across the state. Vineyards are preserving family farms and diversifying farmer's business interests. NBC17 recently visited Foster Family Vineyards in Louisburg. The Foster family grew and harvested tobacco on their Franklin County farm for 30 years. Year after year, as their allotment shrunk, so did the profit and eventually the family switched to grapes. "Now, we're taking a chance again and we'll see how it goes," said farmer Greg Foster. Unlike tobacco, Muscadine grapes are perennial. It takes three years before the first harvest. And on average, grape growers initially invest $3,500 per acre on vines and a trellis system. The Fosters have 40 acres. "Your biggest investment is up front," Greg Foster said. "If you can stand and wait until your money comes back, you'll be alright." And long before they sank the first pole, the Fosters used science to their advantage. Charles Mitchell is a regional agronomist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. He tests the soil and the vines. "Instead of just taking a gamble and putting stuff out and not knowing what you are doing, this is to fine tune it," Mitchell said. "It determines exactly what the plant needs to produce the most it can." "The first year worked with soil samples and working potassium into the soil," Foster said Since their crop is young, Foster decided to go mechanical and harvest for wineries throughout the southeast. "We come in and do the whole job and folks just sit back and watch instead of folks having to go out and hire 16 to 20 people to pick the crop," Foster said. He estimates the machine can harvest eight acres in a day. It'll also help him stay in business as he ages. "I was looking for something as I get older, as the grapes get older. Hopefully it'll be easier on me, something I can handle," Foster said. Foster's patience is about to pay off. He's growing two varieties of grapes for Duplin Winery in Rose Hill. "If we don't have bad weather this summer or a hail storm or something like that we plan on harvesting this year in the third growing season," Foster said. The fruit of his labor will produce four tons or more at an average price of $937 per ton. "I see it being a good cash crop for folks," Foster said. Enditem